New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-04
CLOSING THE ANDOVER CASE.
PROFESSORS DEFENDING THEIR VIEWS.
IHEoLoGYA PROG EEssIvE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF
MEsSEs TUCKER, HINcKs. CHURCHILL AND
HARRIS.
ley TELEGRAPH TO THE TRreuNsl

1877 TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNAL
BOSTON, Jan. 3.The trial OF the Andover professors
charged with teaching doctrines foreign to the nten
ton Of the founders of the seminary finished this
afternoon. When the hearing opened this morning
Dr Baldwin. the part OF the respondents. made a
MOTION TO dismiss tho complaint against Professor
smyth on the evidence Of the compliments alone as
being inconsistent with the statute Of the Common
wealth. Ibis motion was Overruled. was also a
motion to dismiss on the ground OF all the evidence.
Professor Tucker then arose to answer tho CHARGES
against him lie defended himself first by the dec
araton that the doctrines OF Progressive Orthodoxy
which had oecn made the basis OF accusation, sspec-
tally that of probation for al men under the gospel
wero the nau al and legitimate outgrowth Of tho creed
OF Andovcr Cavinism il based on the idea Of divine
power and purpose. Tho natural elimination OF the
CaNinism OF the creed Is the hope which no enter
tnod that every soul passes into some real relation
with the means OF atonemcnt and salvation before be-
ing condemned.
TIo had not found many men who disbelieved in
future punishment They rather objected to the mar
row. arbitrary and unequal application OF 1t, as con-
SIGNING tho greater part OF the human race to perdt0n
without an opportunity to guard against It,
In concluding his defence Professor Tucker said that
his interest in the present hearing was far mofethan
professional interest. for he concerned as an
alunnus for tho welfare OF the seminary. lie denied
that the Seminary had shown decline since what II
cal cl tho new denarturo. but tho contrary there
had been gain that department had suffered ant
that An1Over seminary ranked second in tho amour
Of work it Is doing among the four semnares OF thu
-enomnaton in NcwE England, If not second among all
In the United states.
Professor Harris said that when he accepted the
Abbot Pro'cssor.hp at Andoyer the issues which are
now involved had arisen, and he had no ntiinaton
that he was Obliged TO give distinct and finite state
m,nts to the conditions under which all men should
eventually DO saved on becoming professor nc
brought his msRivlngs to the attention OF the Board
OF Visitors aud thoy told him that it would only be
necessary TO icr the creed stating tho general
principles Of the scriptures Referring to the founders
Of tho seminary. who formulated tie creed. he sad
that they differed ~ much among themselves as the
compliments in this differed from the RESPOND
cnt7. Tor his part he considered tho Westminster
Catochism higher authority than the creed lie
held the creed not inconsistent win the con-
vlcilOn that all men viii at some time have some OPP
ror unity 10 Iut themselves into tho reIauOhs WIN
Christ which requisite for salvation Inc TO
sponionts In this case claim that they arc IN line
with that great rational and spiritual movement winch
has mae much IrOpress III the ast thiIy Year,
Mono OF the pro remains at AndoVcr except at
a p,cUiiary sacrifice ami they arc concerned only Tor
the welfare OF the Seminary. The creed has not oceh
altered but il was intended while guarding against
retrcia e movcmentz to bar whatever progress should
lie made la the direction OF advancing Christian IN
TIL ence and feel ng
Iroiosor lIincks tho next respondent, stated that
NO had been ntrustod with the work OF expouhdihg
and interpreting the Scriptures at the seminary. lie
said that he hid never reached conclusions ut variance
with the pr pies OF the creed. Those who espoused
tho scripture, in tho seminary arc to explain The
-cruurs- according TO thor own CONVICTIONS, arising
cut II Lorsonal study and thought The provision
80, - for this by tho founders showed that they ch-
rectod Tho interpreters TO DO progressive ana 10 Keep
abreast OF ccntomporlhcous Biblical cnucHm. Inc
ouncrs put tho Scriptures above the creed and THIS
,o.,ti,n WAS necessarily in accord with progress
MI Russell. counsel for the oompaihano, sao
al A. ua- aalmed hat Professor Churchlll uiu nov
COMO under tho jurisdiction ~ those undor tho
org foundation. because the prOfessorshp which
no occupied distinctly different from the Others
n fts foun'c or and objects. IL was agreed that pro
lessor Churchill could read his paper without waVing
mis- clam to a. peal from the jurisdiction. Ito began
Ly stating that he had wish " evadc any response
bihty for his convictions in connection win the cfeed
or the 70 Mt editor-hip of The AndoVer hosiew'"
IIe stated that his petition toward tho cced was SGT
firth In Professor Fishes statement Every creed
is A monument Of mans Imperfections. and he never
could reinuush his right OF thought To the demands
Of any creed No creed fully st te any theology
or ihco ogy ia SCIENCE and like all sciences must be
deyeloped in connection with changing data
II was agreed between the counsel that ores should
he submitted privately 10 tho Visitors as 10 The >ur
dictIOn In the case.